I want the dog back

[Sound_Mirror]

I'm not sure whether or not this belongs in Family Law but I'm sure someone will know.

My wife left me and took the dog (along with all the furniture etc.) without ANY agreement with me. She has subsequently gone on a 4 week holiday and left the dog with a (once) mutual friend for safekeeping. Can I insist they hand her over to me?

[R0b]

Hi,

Sure you can if you are the owner of the dog. The law treats an animal as a tangible piece of property so if you're going to demand that you are the owner, you need to show some evidence to that effect. A starting point would be if your name is listed as the contact details on the dog's microchip, as well as any other details including proof of purchase, proving your the named contact at the vets etc.

Otherwise, you can insist, demand and stamp your feet but if you can't prove ownership, I don't think you have much to argue about. I also don't think your ex-wife's friend is simply going to hand the dog over to you without first querying with the ex-wife. Taking the dog if you are not the owner could open yourself up to civil action and/or criminal in the form of theft.

Of course you can as a last resort, issue legal proceedings but you will need to still prove you own the dog.